Coaster-wagon rear axle



Dec. 31, 1929. I I A. c. CARLSON 1,741,142

COASTER WAGON) REAR AXLE Filed Aug. 21, 1924 2 SheetsSheet l (Tub: He

Dec. 31, 1929. A. c. CARLSON 1,741,142

COASTER WAGON REAR AXLE Filed Aug. 21, 1924 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Dec. 31, 1929 UNITED STATES sarsnr OFFICE ART IE C. CARLSON, F VALPABAISO, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR, BY MESNE ASSIGNMENTS TO THE NORTHERN TRUST COMPANY AND HAROLD H. ROCKWELL AS TRUSTEES GOASTER-WAGON REAR AXLE Application filed. August 21, 1924. Serial No. 733,351.

My invention relates to improvements in coaster wagons, and it more especially consists of the features hereinafter pointed out in the annexed claims.

The purpose of my invention is to provide a rear axle assembly which is simple in construction; that is very efficient in operation giving independent movement for each of the rear wheels withv respect to the body of the coaster; that provides an elastic connection between the body andv the axle for each end of the axle; that provides a simple means for holding the coaster wheels in position on the axle; and also provides for a very eficient direct acting wheel brake.

IVith these and other ends in view, I illustrate in the accompanying drawing such instances of adaptation as will disclose the broad underlying features without limiting myself. to: the. specific details shown thereon and described herein.v

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the rear portion of a coaster wagon.

Fig. 2 is an elevation in transverse section of Fig. 1.

Fig. 3A, is a detail elevation in section of the outer end of the axle.

Fig. 3B, is a. detached elevation of a wheel retention washer.

Fig. 1, is a detached elevation in section of thespring fastening shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig; 5, is an elevation similar to Fig. 2

showing a modified form of spring attachment to the rear axle.

Fig- 6,. is an elevation similar to Fig. 4

showing the spring attachment of Fig. 5.

Fig. 7, is a bottom plan view of a modified form of a flexible rear axle.

Fig- 8, is a side elevation of Fig. 7. Fig. 9,. is an end elevation of one side of i the rear end of the coaster wagon.

Figs. and 11 are respectively a side and end elevation of a semi-flexible rear axle suspension- Fig. 12 is an elevation of a notched axle.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged elevation in cross I section. of the axle atone of the notches.

Fig. 14 is an enlarged elevation of the axle portion of Fig. 10.

Fig. 15 is an elevation of a modified washer.

In practically carrying out invention,

The back piece 31 is let into.

nections are placed so as to join the side rails 4 to the rear axle. These connections may be of one form or another providing that they are more or less elastic so as to permit the wheels to have bodily displacement in respect of the side rails independently of eachother. Thus in Fig. 1, is shown one form of such connection, and in Figs. 7 and 8 another form which is a substantial equivalent of that instanced in Fig. 1. In the same way the axle constructions shown in Figs. 2 and 5 are considered practical equivalents of each other.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, flat steel springs 3 are secured to the side rails 4 by means of bolts 33. The lower ends of the springs 3 rest on the reduced diameter 6 of the axle 1 against shoulders 5. Clips 15 pass around the axle so that their free ends receive the lower ends of springs 3 between them. At this point rivets or bolts 16 hold the springs secured to the clips 15. A brake bracket 29 may be secured to one of the side rails 4 by means of the same bolts 33 that hold the spring at that end of the axle. A brake lever 30 is pivoted to the bracket 29 so that its rearwardly projecting end will engage the rim of one of the wheels 2. This provision is equally applicable to the structure shown in Figs. 1, 5 and 8. Floor boards 32 of any desired type may be supported in a groove of member 31 and also by the cross brace 23 and another groove in the front cross member of the coaster frame, not shown.

In Fig. 5 springs 19, which are practical equivalents of spring 3 shown in Fig. 1, are provided with forwardly projecting feet 22 which are secured by rivets 20 or otherwise to distancing member 18 to form a unitary structure, and the member 18 is attached to the axle 17 by means of ears 21 provided with holes through which the axle 17 passes. The springs 19 are secured to the side rails 4 by bolts 33- in the same manner as shown in Fig. 1. In the case of the axle 1, shown in Fig. 2, the wheels 2 are assembled on the reduced diameter 6 outside of the clips 15, while in Fig. 5 the axle 17 is of the same diameter as the diameter 6 throughout its length so that the wheels 2 are positioned outside of the ears 21. These ears serve the same purpose in holding the wheels 2 spaced apart the proper distance as the shoulders 5 and the clips 15 do for the axle 1.

The structure shown in Fig.5 is of course somewhat more rigid than that shown in Fig. 2, but nevertheless there is enough elasticity in the member 18 so as to allow it to twist more or less if one spring is compressed more than the other so as to prevent the shock of one wheel striking an object from being en- .tirely carried through to the other wheel.

In Figs. 7, 8 and 9. the axle 1 has assembled thereon arms 27 adjacent the shoulders 5 on the reduced diameters 6. These arms are pivoted to brackets 26 at 28 and the brackets are secured on the under side of side rails 4 in any suitable manner; for instance, by means of bolts 33. The arms 27 near their lower ends have secured thereto cables 25 which are attached to a tension spring 24 that may be secured to the cross brace 23. This construction may afford somewhat greater flexibility than that produced by the structure instanced in Figs. 2 and 5. However, the difference is one of degree so that for practical purposes they may be considered equivalents of each other in producing a flexible rear axle suspension.

The wheels 2 are held on the axles 1 and 17 in the same manner. Grooves 7 are formed near the outer ends of the axles so as to leave narrow collars or shoulders 8. The wheel hubs 9, as shown in Fig. 3A, terminate near the grooves 7; and, if desired, cup shaped washers 10 may be placed on the axle adjacent to the hubs 9. Outside of the washers 10 a key-hole washer 11 is placed in grooves 7. The washers 11 have a small diameter opening 13 corresponding to the diameter at the bottom of grooves 7 and a larger diameter opening 14 connected therewith. The

latter opening is slightly larger than the diameter of the shoulders 8. When the wheels; are to be taken off from the axle the hub caps 12, held in place on the cup washers 10 by friction or otherwise, are first removed and then the washers 11 are moved sidewise to bring the opening 14 in line with the shoulders 8; thus permitting the instant removal of the washers without the tedious work of dealing with cotter pins, etc. The washers 11 at the junction between openings 13 and 14 may be of slightly less diameter than the diameter of grooves 7, so as to snub over the groove diameters when the washers are placed in position to thereby assist in holding the washers 11 in their place without accidental removal. The hub caps 12 of course serve a similar purpose besides giving a finished appearance to the coaster wagon. It may be suflicient to make the washers 11 of larger diameter and dispense with the cup shaped washers 10, in which case the hub caps 12 would be removably attached directly to the wheen hubs 9 in any desired manner.

It will be seen that the axles 1 and 17 can be made of standard length, so that whether one or the othertype is used the wheel tread will remain the same due to the fact that the distance between the ears 21 is the same as that between the outer edges of clips 15 and arms 27.

A trunk and means for fastening the same to the side rails 4 and the back 31 is shown vantage is taken of an angular suspension which leans forward and is free from the rigidity that a vertical connection from the axle to the side rails would inevitably possess. There is a connection underneath each side rail 4 and adjacent each of the rear Wheels. The structure comprises a horizontal portion 39 of the rear angular member 38 formed of a flat metal strap. The lower end of this member has a foot 40 bent at about right angles. The front angular member 41 also has a horizontal portion 42 which abuts the part 39 under the side rail 4. These parts are secured to the side rail by means of bolts 33, which bolts, on one side of the body, may also hold the brake bracket 29 if desired. The lower end of the member 41 is bent into a half loop 43 that partly encircles the axle 36. It is bent upward on the rear side of the axle and is secured to the lower end of mem ber 38 by means of rivets 44. These members 38 and 41 constitute a semi-flexible imit due to their angular formation and the elasticity of the thin strap material. A pair of such units constitutes the rear axle suspension. They are kept spaced apart theproper distance and the turning of axle is prevented by reason of the toes 40 resting in the notches 37 of the axle 36 as shown in Figs. 13 and 14. In Figure 15 a modified retaining washer 45 is shown. It has an opening corresponding to the necked portions 7 of the axle. Below this opening the slot leading to the outer circumference is slightly narrower at .47 and wider at 46. By reason of this the washers 45, like washers 11 of Fig. 3B are prevented from accidentally dropping out of the notches 7 should hub caps 12 become detached.

rails having angular gains on their inner faces, a cross member seated in such gains projecting at an angle above the side rails, a tie rod passing from side rail to side rail adjacent the cross member, an axle, supports for the axle depending from the side rails, a tie bar connecting the lower ends of the supports, said bar having depending ears for the axle, and Wheels on the axle, the tie bar and cross member cooperating to hold the assembled parts in unitary alignment.

2. In a device of the character described, a relatively rigid frame composed of side rails having gains on their inner faces, a cross member seated in such gains, a tie rod passing from side rail to side rail adjacent the cross member, an axle, supports for the axle depending from the side rails, a tie bar connecting the lower ends of the supports, said bar having depending ears for the axle, and Wheels on the axle, the tie bar and cross member cooperating to hold the parts in unitary alignment.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

ARTIE C. CARLSON. 

